The Voice reject Bob Blakeley breaks down after securing record deal live on TV

THE nation stared at their television screens in shock when The Voice judges failed to turn around for 55-year-old crooner Bob Blakeley.

Bob Blakeley was moved to tears after he was offered a contract by a music producer [BBC]

But as the famous saying goes - when one door closes, another one opens.

And that was proved true for the warehouse worker today after he was offered a six-month recording deal live during an appearance on BBC Breakfast.

The Grandad from Stockport broke down when music producer Mike Batt, who discovered Katie Melua, called in with an offer he couldn't refuse.

The singer appeared on The Voice last week but failed to get through to the next round [BBC]

The 55-year-old will now be working with Mike Batt, who discovered Katie Melua [BBC]

The BBC studio surprised Bob, who was on the show to talk about his appearance on the reality TV show last Saturday, with a live link-up to Batt, who said he had seen his spine-tingling performance of Cry Me A River.

"He was so phenomenal, we knew someone would go for it, but nobody turned and I felt such a sense of injustice that I thought I ought to do something," he said.

"I would like to be the fifth person that did turn round… I would love to mentor you, to, if you like, manage you for six months or so until you get a deal with a good company, or with my own company. You must not let this chance go by and I would like to help you."

"You must not let this chance go by and I would like to help you."

Mike Batt

Blakeley - who looked incredibly smart in a great suit - was moved to tears by his kind generous offer and thanked him repeatedly.

"That means so much," he said while holding presenter Susanna Reid's hand.

He later took to his Twitter page to air his thanks.

"Wow what an incredibly morning… I can't thank you all enough for your support! I hope to bring you some great music," he wrote.

Mike Batt said he would work with him for "six months or so" [BBC]

While Susanna added: "It's not every day we get to make a dream come true."

Batt, 64, who owns the record label Dramatico, is best known for creating The Wombles pop act and writing chart-topping song Bright Eyes.

On hearing the news, Moira Ross, Executive Producer, The Voice UK: "We’re so delighted that Bob chose to come onto The Voice, knowing the show is a great platform for amazing talent and we wish him all the very best for the future."